this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
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88
How difficult is it to drive on the wrong side of the road? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 8 months ago by rab@lemmy.ca to c/nostupidquestions@lemmy.world
39 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I would consider myself a good driver on the right side of the road but I am wondering if visiting Ireland and renting a car is for me.

Also how do you feel about driving manual transmission when not used to churning gears with the usual hand?

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[–] JudahBenHur@lemm.ee 84 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I'm from the states and live in Ireland. I never had a problem with switching back and forth as I visit the states and Germany frequently.

The one danger is if youre in a parking lot or similar and pull out onto the road when there are no other cars after not driving for a while, you might be on the wrong side for a second.

The trick to remember isn't left or right its that the driver is always in the middle of the road.

If youre holding the steering wheel and are on the outside of the road, youre going the wrong way. Keep the center line right next to you and you'll be grand as the Irish say.

[–] isles@lemmy.world 8 points 8 months ago (3 children)

The trick to remember isn’t left or right its that the driver is always in the middle of the road.

While not pertinent to the OP, the USVI drives left and has left-side driver seats as well.

[–] ebc@lemmy.ca 3 points 8 months ago

They drive on the left in the Bahamas too, so they mostly import Japanese cars, but there's a lot of American cars and golf carts, so the driver can be any side...

[–] isolatedscotch@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 8 months ago

on the opposite side, Myanmar (formerly Burma) has right hand steering and driving on the right hand side of the road

[–] JudahBenHur@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago

thats manicial. good trivia though thanks

[–] RvTV95XBeo@sh.itjust.works 3 points 8 months ago

I found myself saying out loud "Right turn to the left lane" when initially getting used to driving in the UK.

[–] Mr_Blott@lemmy.world 42 points 8 months ago (3 children)

I change between the two fairly often and the two most dangerous things are -

Looking the wrong way when approaching a roundabout

Going to change gear with the wrong hand and punching the door

Generally it's only difficult if you drive a RHD car on LHD roads or vice versa

[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 10 points 8 months ago

Going to change gear with the wrong hand and punching the door

Coming from Australia to Europe. So many times.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 8 points 8 months ago

And on the level of hitting the door:

Waiting to turn at a crossroads, only to have the other car pass on the other side of the road while you look stupid.

[–] TheRealKuni@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Going to change gear with the wrong hand and punching the door

When I was planning a trip to the UK I swapped the gearshift location on my racing wheel setup and drove around a bunch in Forza Horizon 3 so that I’d be ready.

Didn’t end up renting a car, so all my work was for naught.

[–] TheSpermWhale@lemmy.world 23 points 8 months ago (2 children)

It’s not so bad if there’s loads of other cars, but if you set off onto a quiet road, it can be quite easy to zone out and forget where you are if you’re not careful

[–] sadcoconut@lemm.ee 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

This. Especially driving out of carparks.

[–] Obi@sopuli.xyz 2 points 8 months ago

Yeah that's where I struggle, when transitioning back to the road from any random places where you were in the middle of the path.

[–] christov@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Did this when driving abroad, my partner also didnt notice and had to remind me.

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 1 points 8 months ago

I've seen a tourist do this 🤦 beware of junctions

[–] MrsDoyle@lemmy.world 20 points 8 months ago

You should be ok if you stay focused and alert. When you're in the driver's seat you will always be in the middle of the road next to the white line, whatever country you're in.

The trickiest part is making turns. Driving in Europe, the US and Canada I used to say to myself "loooong left and tight right". In Ireland, you'll be turning right across the oncoming traffic. It's tricky because if you don't focus, habit will take you on to the wrong side of the road. After a couple of days you'll get used to it.

Hire an automatic, they're more common these days anyway. Having said that, I never had a problem changing gears withe the "wrong" hand.

Enjoy! The Irish countryside is lovely.

[–] My_friend_Johnny@lemmy.world 13 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I'm pretty sure driving on the wrong side of the road is illegal in most places, please do not drive on wrong side in Ireland.

[–] rab@lemmy.ca 8 points 8 months ago

In Ireland I would only drive on the correct side of the road, but thanks

[–] eating3645@lemmy.world 10 points 8 months ago

In my experience it's surprisingly easy. I found the break in routine snaps me out of complacency, making me more alert.

[–] key@lemmy.keychat.org 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Make sure to practice using your right hand to make crude gestures out the window.

[–] dingdongmetacarples@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Better brush up on local customs too. Some gestures are more crude than others in different countries.

[–] JoBo@feddit.uk 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Wise to hire an automatic, I think. Not difficult with so many rentals offering hybrids or electric now. My right hand would struggle with gear shifts and I'd imagine it is even harder switching the other way around (if you are right-handed).

Getting used to driving on the 'wrong' side isn't too hard but understanding unfamiliar road signs at the same time might be quite taxing. Remember to read up on the local road laws, and whatever their equivalent of the Highway Code is.

[–] prashanthvsdvn@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

It’s quite easy if you’re right handed since your dominant hand is in control of the wheel and with left hand you are only moving the hand mostly in straight line and diagonals along with a feedback as well, so it’s hard to mess up.

[–] NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

When you are in such a country, then it isn't the wrong side anymore. It is the side where everybody is driving.

[–] Mr_Blott@lemmy.world 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

It is the side where everybody is driving

Just not necessarily in the same direction

[–] NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Some to heaven...

[–] Trollivier@sh.itjust.works 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I visited Ireland and it took me maybe a day to get used to driving on the left.

Driving a stick shift on the left though took a little more time, I would often go from 1st gear to 4th gear. My muscle memory wasn't developed in my left hand for this.

Be aware though that the streets are much more narrow in the countryside. I was often nervous driving there.

[–] 200ok@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Seconding the narrow roads. And sometimes the only automatic vehicle they have left to rent is a 7-seater wagon.

[–] BothsidesistFraud@lemmy.world 6 points 8 months ago

It's easy if you pay attention at all times. Do not fall into your ingrained habits. If you stay focused, especially while turning, you won't have a problem.

I have never driven a manual on the wrong side. I wouldn't do that. I would rent an automatic.

[–] SkybreakerEngineer@lemmy.world 6 points 8 months ago

Judging by the drivers near me, quite easy

[–] Chainweasel@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago

It's like driving in the fast lane on the highway. If you can do that you can drive on the "wrong" side of the road

[–] CatPoop@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago

It’s not that bad, you might have a couple of moments where you suddenly second guess yourself, particularly on smaller country roads, or car parks. Just remember you the driver should be nearest to the center of the road and you’ll be fine. If you pre book you might have a chance of renting an automatic to make things even easier.

[–] ATDA@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

You get used to it after a few scares. Hell I was just a pedestrian in Japan and damn near got run over looking the wrong way out of habit. Only once!

[–] 1rre@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 8 months ago

I find it's harder as a pedestrian than a driver... You're mostly aligning yourself as a driver and looking for pedestrians/cars coming but they can come from either side regardless of what side you're driving on... For pedestrians though the side you look at first is switched so there's a very real chance you just step out into traffic

[–] dutchkimble@lemy.lol 3 points 8 months ago

I think the gear switching is fine but the oncoming traffic is definitely a big negative

[–] Eczpurt@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

Never driven on the other side of the road but I have driven right hand drive. It was a little strange for pretty much the first couple shifts but the pattern was ultimately the same.

Personally I enjoyed the experience, it's always fun to try something new. I still prefer left hand drive because it's what I'm used to but don't let comfort keep you from a memorable experience!

[–] ving_thor@lemmy.one 2 points 8 months ago

I can't say anything about driving on the left side since I never had to do it.

About the clutch, I think it depends on whether you used to do it a lot. I used to drive stick when I learned to drive, but for the last 5 years I have only driven automatic or electric. But when I rented a car with manual transmission, my muscle memory came back within a few minutes and everything went fine.

[–] franglais@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago

It's easy if you travel on busy roads, you follow the flow of traffic, much harder to be the only person on the road, you rely on your habits, and can easily fund yourself looking at a head on collision.

[–] OceanSoap@lemmy.ml -1 points 8 months ago

Do it! I had. Lot of fun. Just be aware and you'll be fine. :)